The Bozeman weekly chronicle., 1887-03-02


bis old reckless gayety. "Shoot-off- -his-mouth,
the beardless boy chief Of the Sierras, has
spokenI Let the pale face with the black
mustache ponder and beware how be talks
hereafter to the Ripping Cochituate Water
Col"
Nevertheless, as soon as the door had closed
upon Falkner, Less smile vanished. With
bis colorless face turned to the fading light at
the window, the hollows in his temples and
the lines in the corners Of bis eyes seemed to
have grown more profound. He remained
motionless and absorbed in thought so deep
that the light rustic Of a skirt, that would at
other times have thrilled his sensitive ear,
passed Nnheedsd. At last, throwing of his
reverie with the full and unrestrained sigh Of
man who believes himself alone, he was
startled by the soft laugh of Mrs. Hale, who
had entered the room unperceived.
sDeAr mel How portentousl Really,
almost feel as II were interrupting tetea-
tste between yourself and some old fame
haven't heard anything 30 old-fashioned and
conservative a. that sigh since have been In
California thought you never had any
Past out herer
Fortunately hie face was between her and
the light, and the unmistakable expression of
annoyance and impatience which passed over
n was spared her. There was, however. still
enough dissonance in his manner to affect
her quick feminine sense, and when she drew
nearer to him it was with certain maiden
like timidity.
3You are not worse, Mr. Lee, l hope'
You have not over exerted yourselfr
"There's little chance of that with one leg
II not in tie grave at least mummifed
with bandages," he replied, with a bitterness
new to him.
"Shall loosen themi Perhaps they are
too tight. There Is nothing so irritating to
one as the sensation Of being tightly bound"
The light touch Of her hand upon the rug
that covered his kness, the thoughtful ten
dsrness Of the blue veined lids, and the deli
cate atmosphere that seemed to surround her
like perfume cleared his face of Its shadow
and brought back the reckless fire into his
blue eyes
II suppose I'm intolerant of all bonds" he
said, booking at her intently, "in others as
well as myself"
Whether or not she detected any double
meaning In his words she was obliged to ac-
cept the challenge of his direct gaze and,
raising her eyes to his, drew back a little
from him with slight increase of color.
u was afraid you had heard bad news just
now
"What would you call bad newst' asked
Lee, clasping bis hands behind his head and
leaning hack on the sofa, but without with
drawing his eyes from her face.
"Oh, any news that would interrupt your
convalescence or break up our little family
party" said Mrs. Hale "You have been
getting on SO well that really it would seem
cruel to have anything interfere with our
life Of forgetting and being forgotten. But"
she added with apprshensive quicknsss, "has
anything happensdi Is there really any
news from-from the trailsf Yesterday Mr..
Vaikner said the snow had recommended In
the pass. Has be seen anything, noticed any
thing different"
She looked so very pretty, with the rare,
genuine and youthful excitement that trans
figured her wearied and wearying regularity
Of feature, that Lee contented himself with
drinking in her prettiness as he would have
inhaled the perfums of some flower
.Whv do yo,, ,oor at mo On Mr. I.am .ho
asked, with slight smile II believe some
thjng ha. h.nDan.s Mr. Falkner ho,
b.o,.c,,t vo,, .o,,,s ;,t.,,,s,a,c.
"ae has csltainfv found, ous .on,atbinS
did not foreses"
"And that troubles your
ut does.n
"Is IL a secrstp
"Non
"Tben mppose Won will tell IL to ma at
dinner.p she said. with little tone of relief.
"I am afraid II tall Il at all must tall II
now.n he said claucins at the door.
"You must do AZ Won think hest v ste said.
ooldly. "as IL seams to be a secret altar all. y
she hesitated. "Kate h dressing and will
not be down In some timen
$50 much the better. For [ am afraid that
Ned has made Door return to your bospi.
t.litv by falling in love with bern
"Impos,iblsl He has known her for
sosrcsiy q week.
IT am afraid va won't aarse as To the
,snrth of time pocsssary to appreciate and
love a woman. I think It can be done in
s,yen days and four bours the exact time we
have been bere,n
"Yes: but as Kate was not in when Won
arrived. and did not come until later, YOU
must take of at laast one hour said Mrs
Hale eayiy.
"Ned can. l shall not abate second.n
"But are you not mistaken in his feel
ingsi" she continued hurriedly "He GER
taiuly has not said ANYTHING to her,
"That is his last bold on honor and reason.
And 10 preserve that little intact he wants to
run away at once.n
aBut that would be yery sillyp
ADO you think sor, he said, looking at her
fxedly.
4Why notr she asked in her turn, but
rather family,
1Iu tell YOU why,n he said, lowering his
voice with certain intensity Of passion un-
like his usual boyish lightheartedness. "Think
Of a man wbose life has been one of altar
nate hardness and aggression. of savage
disappointment and equally savage successes,
vho b.s trovr po ,other ra,axat;o, than die.
siuat,on ar ,xtravaoance. a man to whom
the idea os tho domastic hearth and family
aas onlv meant vs.knsss efYem,nacv. Or
vorso: who had looked for LOYALTY and devo-
tion on,v IN tbs na.n who battl.d sor him nj
hi. riuht hand In danuar or .barod b;s rr;.
I